THE SOLOIST,

The lead cello,
Listens offstage.
The orchestra
Plays their first piece,

Carrying on
As though he has
Already left,
But he has one

Star performance
To deliver
After decades
Of blending in.

Bending to fit
Was fine with him.
He felt no need
To flee the group.

They sound as good
Now as they will
When only his name
Comes up sometimes.